'Why not Dublin?' Croke Park eyeing Champions League final, stadium chief confirms

Peter McKenna thinks the Man Utd-Leeds fixture could showcase GAA HQ.

Croke Park will host Man Utd v Leeds this summer. Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Real Madrid fans on the Hill. The famous Zadok the Priest music over the GAA HQ tannoy. Harry Kane or Lamine Yamal climbing the Hogan Stand steps to collect the European Cup. 

All this could be a reality if Croke Park achieves its ambition of hosting the Champions League final, a target confirmed by stadium director Peter McKenna.   

The stadium is set to welcome Man Utd and Leeds supporters to Jones' Rd for a season curtain-raiser in August. And McKenna has told The Athletic, he hopes the event will showcase Croke Park as a football venue. 

“The capacity of 82,000 and successfully running an event like the Man United v Leeds fixture, all that would go to prove our credentials,” he says. “It would help to say ‘why not consider Dublin?’ 

“It is a city that gives a great atmosphere and a Champions League final in Croke Park would be fantastic.” 

He continued: “I have no doubt we would get the full support of Dublin City Council, the Irish government and the FAI for such a venture.”

It's understood that Uefa prefers stadiums which don't require the installation of temporary seating, as Croke Park would. 

A similar set-up was installed for the recent NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Talks are underway for a blockbuster fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to be held at Croke Park, it was reported this week meanwhile.

Key figures at GAA headquarters are in dialogue over a potential fight night that could have Katie Taylor in line to feature on the undercard.

“The real hope is that we will get Tyson Fury here later on in the year,” stadium boss, McKenna told BBC Sport.

“That would be such a world-billing event that we would be able to facilitate a Katie Taylor fight here. A lot of stars need to align. Katie’s manager needs to agree, Katie’s promoter needs to agree, Tyson Fury’s promoter needs to agree.

“I am very confident that all three are coming to the sense that this is one of Ireland’s greatest sporting athletes and it would be such a ‘wow’ to have her here and for her to finish her career here.”